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Union says budget cuts hurting teacher numbers

The teachers' union say only 15 new teachers are undertaking orientation in Alice Springs to start the new school year.

Last year, more than 60 teachers were taken on by the Education Department for schools across central Australia.

Nadine Williams from the Australian Education Union says the major restructure of the Education Department and mini-budget are crippling recruitment.

"The real things that have impacted on the numbers so severely this year, and it is across the Territory, it is not just the central Australian numbers that are quite down, is definitely to do with the way the Education Department has had to cut its budget," she said.

She says there have been cuts across the board, especially to teachers in specialist areas.

"We really wish that this had not happened," she said.

"We really do believe as a union that is is due to quite severe cuts to our budget, especially the salary budget, and we are urging the Government to rethink this very poor analysis of what is important in the Northern Territory.

"Our future is is the kids who are here and will always be here."

The Education Minister says there has been no reduction in the number of teachers working in central Australia.

John Elferink says more teachers are choosing to stay in their jobs, mixed with good conditions and bonus packages, so fewer new recruits are needed.

He says the union is wrong about budget cuts impacting on teacher numbers.

"I'm not entirely sure why the education union is determined to continue saying that we are cutting the budget when actually we haven't," he said.

"In actual fact whilst the numbers appear to be down, this is a good news story because it is reflective of a stabilised staffing environment."